Closed-Loop Triaxial OPMs to Measure Gamma Brain Signals in Infants
Official title: Closed-Loop Triaxial Optically Pumped Magnetometers for High-Sensitivity and High-Bandwidth Magnetoencephalography Measurements of the Developing Brain
Funded at Sandia Corp-Sandia National Laboratories · NIH-11384746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new non-invasive brain-monitoring tool for infants will use advanced magnetometers to reliably detect fast gamma brain signals and help study neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sandia Corp-Sandia National Laboratories NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $675,526 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EB035534-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants around six months of age who can undergo non-invasive MEG measurements.
✕Less likely to help
Children who cannot tolerate MEG or have contraindications for non-invasive brain monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a pulsed, triaxial optically pumped magnetometer array with high sensitivity and wide bandwidth to measure infant brain activity non-invasively. It will feature individual sensor positioning, interference rejection, and closed-loop operation to capture gamma oscillations with high fidelity in infants around six months old. The work combines collaboration with industry to achieve a 2 fT/rt-Hz sensitivity and 220 Hz bandwidth, enabling detailed brain activity mapping at ~1 mm spatial and ~10 ms temporal resolution. Insights from these measurements could inform understanding of early brain development and later neurological disorders, while building tools that may be used in clinical or research settings. The study emphasizes advancing MEG technology to study delicate, developing brains without invasive procedures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to better early detection and understanding of neurodevelopmental and degenerative brain disorders in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous MEG technologies have shown promise, but this project aims to surpass current limits with a novel triaxial, high-bandwidth sensor.
Where this research is happening
-
Sandia Corp-Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borna, Amir — Sandia Corp-Sandia National Laboratories
- Study coordinator: Borna, Amir
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.